UTICA, NY -- Rusmir Dzanko scored 32 points, a career high, for the Union men's basketball team in an 80-77 win at Utica Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center. The Dutchmen won their fifth straight to improve to 5-1, and Utica is now 3-6.

Dzanko, named a Liberty League Performer of the Week earlier in the week, made 13 of his 23 shots and also had 10 rebounds. He made six of his seven free throws and also added four assists in all 40 minutes.

Keven Donohue had a career best eight assists and added 17 points with nine rebounds for Union, and Joe Mason and Terell Winney each scored eight points. Union shot 42%, as did Utica, and the Pioneers had 46 rebounds while allowing 41 by the Dutchmen.

Matt Baldwin and Jeff Ward each had 16 points and Ward had a game best 14 rebounds. Reggie German scored 12 points and Aaron Nevins dished out seven assists.

Union led 42-35 at halftime and after a jumper by Donohue with 11:59 left in the second half, had a 14 point lead at 58-44. But the Pioneers stormed back and got to within one on a Baldwin free throw, and it was 75-74 Union with 1:53 left. A layup by Marlon Davidson tied the game at 77-77 with 1:21 left, but Donohue answered with a three pointer with 1:02 left for the 80-77 score. Utica had a missed three pointer as time expired and the Dutchmen came away with the triumph.

Union is off through the holiday season and will be back in action on January 2 to host Roger Williams. It will be the 8 p.m. and second game of the Sig Makofski Tournament, after a 6 p.m. game with Hamilton and Wells. The consolation and championship are January 3.